Lis was invited to Melbourne to create two balloon scenes for Chris Adamo's #PopArt installation at Chadstone.
Corowa’s certified balloon artist Lis Newnham recently showcased her exceptional talent in Melbourne, working alongside a team of 25 artists to create two breathtaking balloon scenes for Chris Adamo's #PopArt installation at Chadstone The Fashion Capital.
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The project, designed to captivate visitors during the school holidays, demanded three days of intense work and unwavering dedication.
While working on the Chadstone project, Lis was specifically tasked with creating clouds, trees, and octopus tentacles.
One of the incredible balloon scene at Chadstone.
Lis has been collaborating with event director Chris Adamo for over 17 years in the balloon industry. Her prior experience in Melbourne made her an ideal candidate for this ambitious undertaking, with her 19-year-old daughter, Ellie, joining her team.
The artists faced the challenge of constructing the largest sculpture any of them had ever attempted.
Under Adamo's direction, the team divided into smaller groups, with balloon twisters creating "long balloon" items and decorators crafting "round balloon" items. Any artist with experience in both fields pitched in wherever they could contribute.
“I worked 45 hours over 3 days, some were still working each night when Ellie and I left,” Lis said.
“We were all exhausted but proud of our work. I had no doubt we could complete this build in the time frame we had…however never this size! This was the biggest sculpture anyone of us has made.
“Coincidentally Channel 7 recently had a competition call Blow Up Australia and many of these artists were on the show with Chris Adamo as the Balloon Judge.
Ellie Newnham pictured making trees.
“The winner of $100k and the show champion was Justin Williams who has often come to Corowa to perform Magic shows and balloon twisting the Royal Hotel when I owned it.”
Lis said she has received a great response since returning to Corowa with three individuals already contacting her, expressing their interest in having Pop Art installations in Corowa, potentially during the Christmas school holidays.
